Cleansing Oils

Cleansing oils – they will always hold a special place in my heart since they were one of the first skincare products I dabbled in when I began blogging. Prior to blogging, I would basically use skincare from whatever brand I was working for at the time and there was no rhyme or reason with how I treated my skin. Then I began using cleansing oils and saw such a drastic difference in breakouts, oiliness and overall appearance that I started to take a more invested approach in my routine. Fast forward a few years and they are a staple for me both to remove makeup and to condition/cleanse my skin. 

Though I have tried a few things from May Lindstrom’s line (read prior reviews here and here), I had never experienced her Pendulum Potion Cleansing Oil. My first thoughts when using the cleanser on my face was ‘this is more like a treatment than a true cleanser and I want to treat it as such’. The texture is thicker than a majority of my cleansing oils so this is not a makeup remover/first cleanse/break through dirt, grime and sunscreen type of cleanser. This is the type of cleanser that I would use as a second cleanse so I can massage it in, let it sit for a minute or two so all the glorious oils and ingredients can fully work their magic on my face. I did need a washcloth to remove this since it is quite thick, but my skin truly felt like it just had a facial afterwards. In fact, the first night I used this I actually skipped the rest of my skincare (3rd trimester exhaustion is real, ugh) and my face still felt nourished and moisturized as if I had continued my full routine. 

This cleanser is truly for the avid skincare lover who will really appreciate the rich texture formulated with camellia oil, avocado oil and wild botanicals designed to expertly condition the skin. The scent is strong with notes of jasmine, ylang-ylang and raw cacao so the whole experience using it is quite sensorial. 

I love testing cleansers. If I could test them all day every day I would. (well I guess I would have to give my face a break one in a while, ugh) Here are 5 that I have put through the paces over the past few weeks and months.

1. Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream – I think of this more as a mask/cleanser than a standard cleanser. As you can see from below, it is a thick grainy texture so it is definitely better for a second cleanse or even a treatment. I add a bit of water to it to make a thick paste and then pat it on my skin. I use upward massaging motions to work it onto the skin for a minute or two and then gently rinse it off. My skin is left smooth, plump and hydrated. Truly a unique product.

2. Zelens Z Pure Cleansing Liquid Balm – Boy is this stuff thick! Which initially had me wondering whether it would perform better as a makeup remover/first cleanse or massaging second cleanse. I did feel that it removed makeup nicely, but it’s a pricier cleanser so I would prefer to leave it as a second cleanse and really work it well into the skin. Because it is so thick, I like to remove it with a warm cloth and love the final result of how my skin feels and looks. Definitely another win from Zelens.

3. Sjal Deep Pore Cleanser – We all know how judgey I can be when it comes to skincare and makeup and I often make snap decisions about a product from just the name or appearance. I am forever proven wrong, but yet I keep doing it. Here was another example of a judgement gone wrong. I saw “deep pore cleanser” and immediately thought it would be foamy and stripping and designed for oily skin but leave my skin feeling worse. And this was after falling in love with the 2 Sjal masks….I’m a tough audience. Welp, my assessment couldn’t be further from reality. This is the most luxurious and decadent creamy balm that glides over the skin like silk. I use this as a second cleanse because I want every bit of the key ingredients to get right on my skin and not be wasted trying to cut through makeup. Add water and this melts beautifully leaving the skin feeling like it’s had a day at the spa. After a good 2 weeks of using regularly, my skin look noticeably brighter and my pores appeared cleaner and less noticeable. The cap is a bit troublesome to remove but frankly I could really care less because what’s inside is so remarkable. Two thumbs up! 

4. Soap & Glory Deep Cleansing Milk – First things first – this stuff smells unbelievable. It has a sweet and enticing aroma of fresh peaches and I wash just a few seconds longer each time to enjoy the smell. But yummy scent aside, the formula itself is soft, creamy and delivers just the right amount of moisture and hydration to balance my oily skin. I know this may seem like a bold statement from a product I was only recently introduced to, but it secured a spot in my top 3 favorite milk cleansers already. Yup, told you it was bold. But when you know, you know. Ya know?

5. Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil – I typically don’t write my blog posts in order of least favorite to most favorite, but in this case I ended with my favorite cleanser of the bunch. I have tried a lot (seriously, a TON) of cleansing oils and this was a stunner from first cleanse. The texture is thick but not too thick, and literally erases any and every trace of makeup from my face. Stubborn eye makeup, thick foundation, 13 layers of bronzers….not a match for this stuff. And while it is easy to emulsify and rinse off, it doesn’t completely dissolve immediately. I have to work the water into the oil to really get a good milk which ensures I get a deep clean. My skin is left soft and smooth, and if I absolutely had to skip a second cleanse it wouldn’t even matter. This stuff is that effective and my skin loves it. I told my mother to go out and buy this immediately. LOL. We love to chat skincare and text about our routines and I told her that her face needed this cleanser. Stat! I’m bossy when it comes to skincare. Sorry not sorry. Her face will thank me.